Does my hot water system need a water filter?

The Importance of Water Quality for Hot Water Systems

A filter system is essential to ensure optimal gas hot water system performance, improving your home’s water quality by eliminating contaminants.

Water quality directly impacts aspects such as corrosion, scale buildup, sediment accumulation and the flow through your system. Lindfield’s unique water supply conditions may differently impact hot water systems, highlighting the need for specific water treatment solutions. Filtration systems play an important role in protecting your hot water units from issues caused by poor water quality.

How Sediment Buildup Can Impact Hot Water Flow

Sediment from minerals in your water can accumulate over time inside your hot water systems. Water heaters can suffer from low hot water pressure, reduced heating efficiency, and potential failure due to sediment buildup, issues that a water filtration system can mitigate. Continuous flow heaters are especially vulnerable, as the narrow heat exchanger units can clog from sediment in heated water.

The moderately hard water in Sydney makes it necessary for Lindfield households and businesses to be vigilant about potential sediment problems in their supply. Installing a micron filter system can capture and prevent sediment from entering your systems, providing protection against contamination.

If hot water flow is inadequate, it’s likely time to filter out sediment. We suggest evaluating your filters to ensure proper function now, so you don’t have to pay later with untimely repairs. Preventative maintenance ensures efficient water flow through your hot water system.

Signs That Your Hot Water System Needs a Filter

There are several clear signs indicating your hot water system needs filtration:

• Irregular water heater temperature - If your hot tap’s flow begins scalding hot then shifts to lukewarm, this may signal a buildup restricting efficient heating.
• Discoloured hot cold water - Rusty, brownish water that comes out points to corrosion and minerals entering from unfiltered mains water.
• Unpleasant tastes and smells - Contaminants, such chlorine and sediment, can create foul odours and tastes when you use water.
• Low water pressure - Comparing does hot flow to cold water pressure helps diagnose issues isolated to hot water.
• Noisy heaters - Sediment accumulation in your continuous flow hot water systems causes vibration and knocking when the tap turned on.

Inadequate water filtration can exacerbate these symptoms, particularly noticeable at low hot water taps. A hot water filter installation can prevent contaminants from entering, improving both taste and odour by capturing sediment. To maintain flow rates and heating performance, we recommend regular cleaning or replacement of your gas hot water system’s filters.

Beyond diagnosing hot water system issues, Lindfield Plumbing is ready to inspect and test your hot and cold water pressure. Contact us today to keep your hot water system working efficiently.

Choosing the Right Type of Hot Water Filter

Various types of water filters are available, each designed to target different contaminants:

• Sediment filters - Capture sediment, rust and minerals. Best suited for issues like blocked heat exchangers or pipes.
• Carbon block filters - Remove chlorine and chemicals affecting taste/odour. Improve hot water quality.
• UV light filters - Kill bacteria with ultraviolet light. Used if contamination is a concern.
• Reverse osmosis systems - Highly thorough filtration removing up to 99% of dissolved solids. Osmosis water systems help protect sensitive equipment by reducing dissolved solids TDS.

For effectiveness against the moderately hard water in Lindfield, we recommend using a 1-micron filter or finer. This prevents scale buildup and corrosion.

Households with higher water usage should consider under-sink water filters designed for larger volumes. Filters that are too small can result in restricted water flow. Beyond giving advice, our system can determine the appropriate type and capacity of undersink water filter for your needs, following a detailed inspection.

Contact our friendly Lindfield plumbers for a free quote on installing a hot water filtration system suitable for your home. We take care to tailor water purifiers solutions to optimise hot water system health and performance.

Installing and Maintaining Hot Water Filters

A properly installed home water filter provides effective filtration and prevents compromised hot water quality. Our plumbers follow these steps, offering a wide range of solutions to ensure your water filter can function at its best as your water gets processed:

1. Turn off your water tank or hot water supply and release pressure
2. Cut into pipework at an accessible point after your water meter or your tank water reserve
3. Fit connectors and brackets for the filter housing
4. Install water filter system into housing, ensuring inlet and outlet pipes match the direction water passes through
5. Reinstate pipework with joints to fit the new filter section
6. Reinstate the hot water supply and rigorously check for any leaks.

We use only industry-approved fittings and filters, guaranteeing hot water supply compliance with Lindfield’s regulations. Quality installations can prevent leaks or restrictions in the future.

Maintenance

Regular inspection and cleaning of filters are crucial for maintaining the efficiency of gas hot water systems. Manufacturers typically recommend changing filter cartridges every 6-12 months. Point-of-entry sediment filters may need quarterly rinsing to remove mineral deposits.

Our service plans also include scheduled maintenance for your gas supply systems. We assess the filter, determining how often it should be cleaned or replaced, ensuring minimal disruptions to your hot water supply.

Neglecting filter maintenance can lead to recurring issues with restricted flow and water quality. Don’t worry about problems your hot water system might encounter. Book our filter servicing today for long-term hot water system protection.

How Water Filters Protect and Improve Hot Water Systems

Installing a water filter brings multiple benefits as it extends bottled water quality directly into your household.

Filters capture contaminants to prevent issues like corrosion, scale buildup, and restricted flow, thus averting heating element failures. Certain filters target volatile organic compounds and other contaminants that affect taste and odour:

• Sediment - Prevents abrasion damage and buildup in pipes and heat exchangers
• Chlorine - Reduces corrosion of copper components
• Bacteria viruses - For a clean, safe, potable healthy drinking water experience
• Lead, pesticides, organic compounds VOCs - Reduces potential health risks from hot water use

Filtration also enhances your tap water conditions for healthy great tasting water and reduces undesirable odours.

We recommend whole house UV filters as a point of use solution for Lindfield households, offering comprehensive protection against a range of contaminants. External contaminant ingress poses risks for your unit’s hot water systems and your family’s health. Installed with periodic servicing, filtration sustains efficient performance and longevity of hot water units.

For advice selecting suitable whole house or point-of-use hot water filtration, consult our water quality specialists. We tailor purification solutions to protect your hot water system.

When to Consider Professional Help with Your Hot Water System

There are a few instances when it’s wise to contact professional plumbers to assist with your hot water system:

• Persistent water quality issues - If you need water problems troubleshooting such as sediment buildup, restricted flow, bad tastes/odours persist despite installing a filter, a technician can troubleshoot underlying causes affecting your water heater.
• Complex systems - Specialist help may be required for larger systems, recirculation setups or tempering valve calibration to meet safety regulations.
• Installation and repairs - Qualified plumbers are essential for any complex installation or repairs needed beyond basic maintenance tasks.
• Scheduled servicing - To keep systems running efficiently, Consider our preventative maintenance plans, which cover filtration, anode checks, sealing washer replacements, and more.

With over a decade of service in the Lindfield area, our family-owned business provides reliable, wallet-friendly plumbing services to safeguard your hot water system.

For any concerns regarding hot water supply, flow rates, strange noises or leaks, contact Lindfield Plumbing on 1300 349 338 for professional diagnosis and solutions to keep your household running smoothly.